Retractable dividers for round prepared food containers

ABSTRACT

The aforementioned dividing mechanism provides optional separation of goods such as prepared food products. The default position of these dividers, aligned with the perimeter, provides the ability to stack the adjoining bucket for convenient storage and allows containment of a large amount of a single product. The active position, extended at the option of the user, creates compartments in which to segregate different products or variations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are currently many cylindrical containers available in which tostore, transport, and serve prepared foods and snacks. Such bucket-styleconfigurations may have dividers to provide separation among varyingproducts, or operate as a tub for a larger quantity of an identicalproduct. The use of a separable divider insert creates sanitationconcerns in that such inserts come into direct contact with food afterpotentially immeasurable handling, especially in a self-serviceenvironment. Attached, fixed dividers do not allow the option of asingle, large containment area thereby necessitating inventories of twoseparate product types.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The retractable dividing mechanism described herein will allow a bucketof a single design to operate as a single or multi-chambered container,depending on the user's immediate need. This eliminates the sanitationconcerns involved with divider inserts that come into direct contactwith food after handling. Additionally, food merchants need onlypurchase a single design to meet the needs of both divided andnon-divided bucket-styled containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. This represents a single leaf, which will create a singledivider within the bucket. Key features are as follows:

a. The triangular section is to be attached to the interior of thebucket. The leaf will fold inwardly along the line adjacent to the rightof section a. The angle allows the leaf to pass evenly across the bottomof the bucket while maintaining an even height at the top of thecontainer.

b. This line represents a cut in the leaf in which tab c of a separateleaf will be inserted when in the closed position.

c. Tab c will be inserted into cut b when the dividing mechanism is inthe closed position.

FIG. 2A. This shows a bucket used to store and/or to serve preparedfoods in the open or default position, allowing for the containment of alarge amount of a single product. While the bucket itself is not thepoint of interest, it is to depict how the three leaves will appear whennot in use.

FIG. 2B. This demonstrates the same bucket in the closed or activeposition used when separation of differing products such as food isdesired. The triple-leaf configuration creates three compartments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention itself is the dividing mechanism that, at the user'soption, will allow for the separation of multiple products. The buckethousing the dividers is not the focus as the described design may beused in conjunction with any existing bucket-style consumable container.

A set of three identical leaves are required to create the threeseparated chambers. Each rectangular leaf has a tab on one side thatwill lock into the slit of the adjacent leaf when dividers are required.A diagonal crease allowing inward folding allows the bottom of the leafto pass evenly along the bottom of the bucket while moving from thesingle-chambered to the multiple chambered configurations. The angle ofthe fold line must be congruent to the angle formed by the wall andfloor of the container. The material may be either a rigid, food gradewax-coated paper or plastic, depending on the material used in theconstruction of the housing bucket.

The triangular section adjacent to the fold line is fastened with glueto the interior wall of the container, with the entire leaf arcingagainst the wall when in default position. Each of the three leaves arefastened in identical fashion, spaced evenly.

When dividing is required, the user will open each leaf toward thecenter of the bucket along the diagonal fold line, and fasten each tabinto the slit of the adjacent leaf. The tab-slit fastener will providesufficient support for the leaves to remain in place when filling thebucket with the desired product.

1. Built-in retractable dividers allow for optional product separationin bucket-style containers.
 2. When product separation is not desirable,dividing mechanism may remain in default (open) position to maximizecontainment area and to allow stacking for efficient storage andtransportation of multiple containers.